SPOTLIGHT ON ... ARTICLE
April 2006

How To Be An Educated Bead Show Shopper
Written by: Lisa Kan

Okay, so you've waited weeks, marking your calendar until that special weekend approached. Or you may have overheard people talking about it at the local bead store. And now that the bead show is finally in town, have you done your homework to prepare for this big event?

I am sure you are wondering "What homework? I thought you are just supposed to attend a bead show and shop until you drop!" That may be fine if you don't have a budget and have all the funds in the world. Attending a bead show can be overwhelming, especially to a novice shopper. So we must become educated shoppers to streamline the bead show experience and maximize our budgets. Whether it is your first show or you are a seasoned shopper, I hope to share some pointers I've learned through my years of being both a bead buyer and a bead seller in this month's article.

Before the Show:

Here are some items to prepare BEFORE attending a show:

Find out if there is a fee to attend the show. If the show has a website, there is generally a vendor list and maybe even a coupon or free pass you can print out. Bead show promoters want you to come to their show, so there are sometimes incentives or door prizes. Make note of the date(s), location and hours of operation. If the show starts on a Friday, more than likely you will be missing the weekend crowd. I tend to like to visit a show on the first day to get first picks.
If there is a vendor list on the show's website, then there may also be links to the respective vendors' websites. If you have the time, it is always a good idea to visit each vendor's website to gauge if the vendor has products of interest to you. If not, there may be no reason to visit them at the show. If you have no time to prepare this step then set aside time to "browse" in a preliminary walk through.
If the vendor is of interest to you, look to see if there are coupons for the show. Some vendors will promote a monthly or show special and you want to know about these to save some bucks.
Prepare a small notepad, pen and calculator.
Make a wish list of what you will shop for. This can be a color palette or specific beads. Have color swatches or project material lists available. Write down this information in your notepad. It is a good idea to carry a notepad to the show while shopping.
Have a budget in mind that you "can" and "will" spend. Just because it is convenient to shop with a credit card doesn't mean you shouldn't have a budget. Some people will only shop with cash, which limits the urge to spend more with a credit card. However credit cards are still more convenient so you are not hauling around hundreds of dollars.
Are you a designer and do you have a state issued reseller's license? If you have time, obtaining a reseller's license generally takes 4-6 weeks. If not, consider applying for a reseller's license later. Keep in mind that a reseller's license is a privilege, just like a driver's license, and you'll have to keep excellent records to file your taxes later. What it generally means is that taxes are deferred until you resale your finished piece to your customer. However, having a reseller's license can also mean you get "wholesale" prices which may mean keystone. Keystone pricing is 1/2 the marked retail price to the trade. Larger bead shows may also have specific wholesale rooms "to the trade" and every vendor will ask if you are resale when making a transaction. Also some shows may open earlier on the first day to wholesale accounts only. This will give you an advance preview before the rest of the public arrives. A reseller's license can be applied through your state tax board and may be free or may require a small fee.
Reduce your reseller's license to a comfortable and legible size. Laminate your license. I have seen many shoppers take out folded worn papers when asked for their reseller verification. Having a laminated version will ensure the license's longevity so that you don't have to constantly prepare new copies. If you can, reduce the size to a credit card which will easily fit into your wallet.
If you are a reseller, prepare your information on Avery address labels. The information should contain your name, your business name, your address (billing address preferred in some cases) and your state issued reseller's number. Having an Avery sticker with this information will save you time when closing a transaction. Most vendors will ask for your reseller's information. Unless you don't mind writing this over and over, this is an easy and quick method to just "peel and stick" the info on the invoice. It also makes the information legible.
If you are a designer, have business cards handy to exchange with the vendors. Having business cards will project professionalism. At bead shows, you are not just shopping for beads but networking for future opportunities. You never know who you'll meet and it is always good to make a great first impression to have business cards handy.
Prepare a shopping bag to carrying your purchases during the show. Although most vendors will package your purchases, you'll end up with lots of bags, so it is more efficient to bring your own bag to carry it all. I carry a canvas bag to all shows. I've seen others carry backpacks too. The bag doesn't have to be big, just sturdy. You can keep your notepad, pen and calculator in the bag as well.
Prepare water and snacks. You may end up hours at the bead show with no time to have lunch. Instead of starving yourself, which will cloud your bead purchasing judgment, eat a snack and drink plenty of fluids.
Choose comfortable clothes and shoes. This is not a fashion show, so heels are inappropriate. This is a serious bead shopping venture and you'll want to make your purchases quickly to streamline your shopping experience, moving through the crowds to your next acquisition. It is a race to see who will find the deals and bargains first because you'll have plenty of competition.
Optional: Get a small business card holder that will fit into your shopping bag to collect business cards during the show

At the Show:

I've gone through some suggested items to prepare for before a show. Yes, I know the list was long but being prepared will make your shopping experience more enjoyable. Bead shows are not just about shopping for beads, it's about making deals, finding bargains, being an informed shopper and making connections with vendors for future purchases.

So you've stood in line, the doors are finally opened and you step in. If this is your first show, it will be overwhelming. I know it was for me at my first show. It's the feeling of a kid being in a candy store. You want one of everything. Do you walk right or left? Do you stop at every booth? Most shows will have a vendor list and may even have a floor plan handed out at the entrance. Make sure you pick this up. If this is your first show and you have some time, I encourage you to "walk" the show first. This means look and visit booths of interest but don't buy. It will be difficult, you will be tempted by tantalizing deals and beautiful beads but trust me on this one. If you see something that is of interest, ask questions about prices and observe the quality. Take notes in your notepad. Pick up a business card if one is available at booths that interest you. Make notes on the back of business card so you'll remember why you stopped at that booth. Unless the product is a handmade artisan bead, a rare stone or a specialized product, there is bound to be a second or third vendor carrying a similar product. So are you missing out because you don't immediately make a purchase? No, you are becoming an educated bead shopper doing your homework.

As you walk the show, compare prices and meet the vendors. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the products. Actually this is the part that I love the most because even though I am a seasoned bead shopper, there are always new products and stones introduced to the market. In this process I am also gauging how well the vendor knows his/her products. An educated seller who knows their products will get my business more likely than someone who doesn't know what they are selling. This is also great in picking up information. I never shy away from a good conversation with anyone, especially a vendor. If you see me at a show as the vendor, I encourage you to talk to meand ask questions. Most vendors are very approachable but be aware that if they are busy to cut the conversation short out of courtesy. Give the vendor your business card if you are interested in their products, and return later to make purchases. Take out that calculator to make sure you are still within your budget. Impulse buying regrettably happens to everyone, even me, but we can at least keep it to a minimum.

Be aware of sale gimmicks. Everyone wants you to buy from them but are you really getting a good deal? There will be 50% and even up to 75% off prices but are these lower quality beads that have been marked up to camouflage a real deal? Look for quality and know your product. Over time you will gain this knowledge. Get a few books later to read up on gemstones, pearls or precious metals. There is a wealth of free resources and information on the Internet. Be a savvy, smart buyer. Remember that for the most part, you do get what you pay for. Using the best quality products (that you can afford) for your designs will ensure that your final piece will speak for itself. Whether you are making a piece for yourself, a gift or for a customer, you've already investigated this much time in the procurement process, so why skimp? Take a break, rest and have a snack. If you are too exhausted, you may be make purchasing judgments that will end up in products you don't really need.

After attending a few shows, you will have an idea of the vendors you want to visit and purchase from which will further streamline your shopping experience. I tend to shop with the same vendors time and time again unless there is a new vendor with a specialized product. Shopping with the same vendors will enable you to get better deals, better prices and builds that relationship. If you are buying a lot from one vendor, you can also negotiate a better bulk price. Many vendors have tiered pricing structures, especially if you are buying precious metal beads and findings. The more you buy, the more you save (of course keeping in mind that budget and shopping list!). A vendor who knows you will tell you about special deals that they "just got in". They will also add you to their mailing list for free passes to all their shows. Even if I don't shop with a vendor at every show, I still drop by to say hello. Know each of your vendors' names and they will remember yours.